Garnet, Montana

The ghost town of Garnet, Montana: Established in 1885 as the town of Mitchell, Montana (renamed Garnet in 1897), 20 years after placer deposits were first discovered in 1865; Though several lodes were discovered in 1867 major lode mining did not begin until 1886 with the first major strike occurring 10 years later; Garnet reached a population of 1200 in the 1890’s; In 1912 fire destroyed nearly half the town…Garnet never fully recovered; Garnet had 4 hotels, 4 stores, 2 barbers, 3 liveries, doctor’s office, a school, union hall, weekly newspaper and 13 saloons; The last known resident, Frank Davey (who had owned a general store, hotel, blacksmith shop and the Garnet Stage Line) died in 1947.